3,3 miles from the Portimão bar, two large vessels collide, recording 147 victims, 31 of which are missing, requiring underwater search actions...
This was the scenario tested on Sunday, on the second day of the first National Diving Days in the Algarve, which took place in Portimão.
The initiative was part of the commemorations of the 90th anniversary of the Firefighters of Portimão, promoted by them, in a co-organization with the Municipality of Portimão and the National Civil Protection Authority, with the support of the National Maritime Authority.
These days began on Saturday, October 29th, with a cycle of lectures of national references in the scope of Maritime Rescue. The program ended yesterday, Sunday, with a nationwide exercise, with real means of aquatic rescue from the Fire Brigade, Maritime Authority, Intervention Group in Protection and Relief (GIPS) of the GNR and the Special Fire Brigade (FEB) ).
The event tested considered the collision between two large vessels, causing 147 victims, of which 31 are missing, requiring underwater search actions.
Due to the dimension of the “loss”, another 13 teams of fire-divers from the districts of Vila Real were activated in support of the Forensic Diving Group of the Maritime Police and the Water Rescue Intervention Unit (UNISA) of the Algarve Firefighters (UNISA). Porto, Aveiro, Viseu, Castelo Branco, Portalegre, Santarém, Leiria, Lisbon, Setúbal and Beja, as well as the GIPS of the GNR and FEB of ANPC, involving a total of 173 water rescue operations (between divers and rescue boat drivers ).
The promoters of the exercise consider that the proposed objectives were "fully achieved, both with regard to the need to test operational procedures inherent to the mobilization, dispatch, movement, commitment and support of numerous multidisciplinary teams in the context of aquatic rescue, or in the coordination between the various actors that contribute to a protection and rescue operation in response to a serious accident of this nature».
All participants were unanimous in the very positive assessment of this initiative and praised the professional and proficient manner in which it was organized by local promoters.
In parallel, in order to enhance the moment, the Municipal Civil Protection Service also took the opportunity to test the various aspects of logistical support and assess any weaknesses in this aspect.
Recognizing the preponderant role of the municipal civil protection structure, and of its agents and cooperating entities, in the various aspects of operational logistics, a Concentration and Reserve Zone (ZCR) was activated over three days (between Friday and Sunday). in two different locations, namely the EB 2,3 Júdice Fialho School, where more than 170 workers were housed in “campaign mode”, ensuring in that place the respective hygiene, food, effort management and parking of reserve facilities.
And, in the riverside area of Portimão, where a second food court, a refueling area, a medical support area and the entire coordination, command, control and communications structure were installed.
173 operators, 47 vehicles and 14 vessels participated in this exercise, from 23 Fire Departments across the country, Maritime Police, ISN, ANPC, GNR, PSP, INEM, FEB and SMPC in Portimão.
The Portimão and Alvor Groupings of the National Scouts Corps (CNE), the Humanitarian Association of Voluntary Firefighters of Portimão, the Administration of the Port of Sines and Algarve, the Júdice Fialho School Grouping, Portisub, effectively collaborated in the support operations. the Marina de Portimão and the Clube Naval de Portimão.
“The lessons learned in each training session and in each exercise strengthen local capacities for emergency situations, significantly contributing to the construction of a more resilient community”, stresses the Portimão City Council.
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